Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
550–25K
4225–50K
3850–75K
2075–100K
21100–150K
13150K+
189 reports with mileage · 69 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports15 fire reports14 injury reports
What owners actually said
258 reports
117,300 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Steering
YEAR: 2003 MAKE: CHRYSLER MODEL: PT CRUISER ENGINE: 2.4L TURBOCHARGED COMPONENTS: POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE WAS RUBBING UP AGAINST THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THE RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE RUPTURED DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE HOT TRANSMISSIO…
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YEAR: 2003 MAKE: CHRYSLER MODEL: PT CRUISER ENGINE: 2.4L TURBOCHARGED COMPONENTS: POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE WAS RUBBING UP AGAINST THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THE RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE RUPTURED DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE HOT TRANSMISSION DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN THE FIRST INCIDENT SINCE THE OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER PURCHASED NEW POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE AND HAD IT INSTALLED AT A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422871
104,000 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
I AM HAVING OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER OWNERS OF PT CRUISER WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES. IT OVERHEATS AT IDLE AND WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM YET. I HAVE HAD IT PRESSURE TESTED AND THE THERMOSTAT CHANGES AND IT IS STILL OVERHEATING TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416948
60,000 miles · Apr 16, 2011
Exterior Lighting
I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH HAS WORN OUT AND IS CAUSING MY CAR BATTERY TO BE DRAINED DUE TO THE FOG LIGHT STAYING ON. I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE PART. HOWEVER I WAS CHECKING ONLINE FOR QUOTES WHEN I STUMBLED UPON A FORUM FULL OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE OVER 600 COMME…
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I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH HAS WORN OUT AND IS CAUSING MY CAR BATTERY TO BE DRAINED DUE TO THE FOG LIGHT STAYING ON. I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE PART. HOWEVER I WAS CHECKING ONLINE FOR QUOTES WHEN I STUMBLED UPON A FORUM FULL OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE OVER 600 COMMENTS REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH THE PT CRUISER, MOST OF THEM WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I HOPE THERE IS SOMETHING SOMEBODY CAN DO ABOUT THIS. I AM HOPING FOR A RECALL OF THE PART, I WILL BUY A NEW PART I JUST DON'T WANT THE SAME PART AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED DUE TO MY CAR BEING DRAINED OF BATTERY LIFE MORE THAN 5 TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10396072
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN STARTING CAR IN MORNING, IT MADE A VERY UNFAMILIAR SOUND THEN THE SOUND DISAPPEARED. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE THE CAR WAS PARKED. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, WE HEARD TWO LOUD THUDS AS IF SOMETHING HAD FALLEN TO THE PAVEMENT. WE SAW NOTHING UNDER THE CAR, BUT AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD TWO MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND …
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WHEN STARTING CAR IN MORNING, IT MADE A VERY UNFAMILIAR SOUND THEN THE SOUND DISAPPEARED. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE THE CAR WAS PARKED. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, WE HEARD TWO LOUD THUDS AS IF SOMETHING HAD FALLEN TO THE PAVEMENT. WE SAW NOTHING UNDER THE CAR, BUT AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD TWO MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DISLODGED. MECHANIC TOLD US THIS WAS HIS THIRD REPAIR OF THIS TYPE BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS TOO HEAVY FOR THE TYPE OF MOTOR MOUNTS CHRYSLER USED IN THE PT CRUISER. PLEASE CALL OWNERS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED BEFORE OFFICIAL RECALL DAMAGES CHRYSLERS IMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395682
97,700 miles · Feb 23, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNTS BOLT FRACTURED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LEAN ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE. AS A RESULT, THE CV BOOT FRACTURED FROM THE CONSTANT FRICTION OF THE ENGINE LEANING ON THE AXLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER AD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNTS BOLT FRACTURED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LEAN ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE. AS A RESULT, THE CV BOOT FRACTURED FROM THE CONSTANT FRICTION OF THE ENGINE LEANING ON THE AXLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES PREVIOUSLY BUT NONE OF THE REPAIRS REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,700. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10384115
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2011
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP IN OCTOBER 2008 AND THE STEERING HOSE IN APRIL OF 2009; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP IN OCTOBER 2008 AND THE STEERING HOSE IN APRIL OF 2009; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR WAS THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE COST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10382790
61,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Air BagsCrashFireInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH, HE REMEMBERED CHANGING LANES AND THERE WAS SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OFF OF THE GROUND PER A WITNESS SINCE THE CONTACT DOESN'T RECALL THE DETAILS OF WHAT OCCURRED. HE DOES REMEMBER THAT THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH, HE REMEMBERED CHANGING LANES AND THERE WAS SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OFF OF THE GROUND PER A WITNESS SINCE THE CONTACT DOESN'T RECALL THE DETAILS OF WHAT OCCURRED. HE DOES REMEMBER THAT THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD AND HIP INJURES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 02/02/11 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10365932
135,000 miles · Nov 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS FUMES INTERIOR OF CAR NO PHYSICAL GAS UNDER VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363878
55,000 miles · Oct 26, 2010
Power Train
I SAW A STORY ON ABC NEWS CONCERNING DECELERATION ON BMW VEHICLES AND I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE IN A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I WAS TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED AND EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN DECELERATION OF MY VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE WAS BEHIND ME I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WA…
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I SAW A STORY ON ABC NEWS CONCERNING DECELERATION ON BMW VEHICLES AND I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE IN A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I WAS TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED AND EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN DECELERATION OF MY VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE WAS BEHIND ME I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10362371
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2010
Exterior Lighting
THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ON MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAVE BECOME SO CLOUDY THEY ARE PRACTICALLY USELESS. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PT CRUISERS AS WELL AS OTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AS I AM FEARFUL OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOW VISIBILITY. I LIVE IN …
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THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ON MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAVE BECOME SO CLOUDY THEY ARE PRACTICALLY USELESS. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PT CRUISERS AS WELL AS OTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AS I AM FEARFUL OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOW VISIBILITY. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH ALOT OF DEER AND THIS LOW VISIBILITY CONCERNS ME. *TR
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING THE HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE, OR REPLACE AS NECESSARY, THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CONFIRM TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODELS ONLY, A WELDED PIN INTERNAL TO THE DUAL-MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) ASSEMBLY CAN UNSEAT AND BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE FLYWHEEL AND THE CLUTCH DISC.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES WITH THE UPDATED DESIGN PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE04028 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Mar 15, 2004 · Closed Jun 18, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Steering
PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.
PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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